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How to Can at Home and Save Money

Stock up and get canning to enjoy your favorite fruits and vegetables all year long!

Whether they're great summer values, especially easy to prep or just decidedly delicious this time of year, some fruits and vegetables are particularly great to preserve. Try our picks:

BlueberriesWhat to make: Jame, jelly, pie fillingIf you want speedy prep, blueberries are the way to go. All they require is a rinse and a few minutes spent checking for stems. Better yet, you'll be set for the holiday season: A jar of homemade blueberry jelly is an inexpensive, thoughtful gift.

Kirby CucumbersWhat to make: Pickles, relishConverting cucumbers to be pickles is a great project for first-timers (no watching out for the gel stage!). Snatch up the Kirby variety of cucumber when you see them: petite, mild and with very few seeds, they make perfect pickles.

Blackberries and RaspberriesWhat to make: Jam, jellyIt's easy to go overboard when buying these jewel-like fruits. In summer, they can cost up to $6 a pound less than they do in the off-season. Still, these goodies don't last long, and when you make your own jam, you'll lock in the flavor—without any corn syrup, which is a common ingredient in commercially available varieties.

ChilesWhat to make: Pickles, hot sauceChili pepper plants produce a lot of fruit. And unlike, say, zucchini, it's hard to pack many into one meal. Even if you buy chiles from the market, they're worth pickling. You can enjoy their summer heat—as well as a variety of flavors and colors—year-round.

ApplesWhat to make: Apple butter, applesauce, pie fillingDuring apple season, you can buy a lot for a little—especially if you opt for seconds, or slightly bruised apples. Experiment with different preparations, spices and varieties.